A few weeks ago, I had the honor to be named a Top Family-Owned Business Leader in Washington State by the Puget Sound Business Journal. As part of the awards ceremony, I spoke on a panel with the three other winners (an interesting note: I was the only woman) about the joys and struggles of being in the family business.

On October 31st, a team from Evia volunteered time to help at Redeeming Soles, whose mission and vision is “to empower those in need through the provision of footwear” and that “all men, women and children in the community have the necessary footwear to be able to participate in daily life.”

Oh, the dreaded phone interview. Why is it so hard to convey who we are over the phone to a stranger? For me, it’s simple – if I can’t see your body language and reactions to what I am saying, I have no idea if I am on the right track. No way to gauge how I am doing………it can be complete torture!

In May of 2015, the company decided to improve our parental leave benefit, rolling out a comprehensive maternity AND paternity leave plan. This new plan now includes twelve weeks off, ten of which are paid, for the birth or adoption of a child.

In an ever-increasing number of societies around the world, we are constantly surrounded by screens. They are an ingrained part of our lives and are here to stay. But what effect do these virtual images have on our eyes and our brain and ourselves? Screens and electronics are arguably a necessary evil. However, you can take steps to ensure that you remain healthy — and human — without the need to abandon technology altogether.